European medal hopes for Judoka

A JUDOKA from Warrington is set to represent Great Britain at the Cadet European Championships later this month.

Emily Cooper, a student at Priestley College, will fly out to Bosnia in two weeks after being selected by GB coaches based on recent performances.

“I really can’t wait to get out there and compete,” said the former Hope Academy pupil.

“I will be up against some serious competition so I will have to be at my best.”

Emily’s passion for the sport began after Peter Blood, a coach at SKK Judo, visited St Peter’s C of E School in Newton-le-Willows.

Now she trains five times a week and has regular competitions, which help her collect the necessary ranking points to be considered for the European selection.

At the championships Emily, who studies Sport and Exercise Science at Priestley College, can expect to compete in several matches on competition day, with each high-intensity fight lasting four minutes.

She hopes to at least emulate her club mate Bekky Livesey who won bronze in the Junior European Championships in 2015. Coach Peter will be travelling to the competition to offer moral support.

“I appreciate everything he has done for me and it should give me extra confidence that he is there,” said Emily, who lives in Lowton.

“I hope to do as well if not better than Bekky because when I was the little one she was the person I looked up to the most.”

Priestley Sports Tutor Katie Radford said: “Everyone at college will be rooting for Emily who has got to go out there and give it her all.“If she does that then there will be no regrets and I am sure she can come back with a medal.”